Which famous route passed through Oklahoma and was significant during the westward expansion?

The significance of Route 66 during westward expansion is closely tied to its role as a major thoroughfare that connected the Midwest to the West Coast, allowing for greater migration and the movement of goods and people. Though known primarily for its historic importance in the mid-20th century as the "Main Street of America," Route 66’s roots trace back to earlier highways that facilitated travel and commerce during the expansion westward.

The legacy of Route 66 helped spur economic development in towns and cities along its path, which includes parts of Oklahoma. This road symbolized the mobility and freedom of the American spirit, making it vital in not just settling the West but also in shaping the culture and economy of the areas it traversed, including Oklahoma.

While the other routes mentioned—Oregon Trail, California Trail, and Santa Fe Trail—were also important during the period of westward expansion, they are more directly associated with early settlement and migration in the 19th century, preceding the establishment of Route 66. Each of these trails had specific directions and purposes related to the movement of pioneers, gold seekers, and trade, rather than the later automobile age that defined Route 66's impact.